12:30 p.m. Sat.: Traffic problems at Hector's

Traffic was tied up at Hector's Last Chance saloon in Bethel Saturday, but all is seemingly calm.

Sandy Tomcho

Wayne Phris, who is a volunteer directing traffic at Hector's Last Chance saloon, stopped directing traffic to the site. That caused a tie-up in traffic.

"I'm sorry man, but the state police shut me down," Phris said.

He continued.

"The state police said they had a complaint that I was being a nuisance with the bullhorn and stopping traffic by trying to direct traffic. All hell broke loose after I quit. People are parking on private property now and (expletive deleted) everybody off. I had everything clear and moving."

Zone Sgt. James Rafferty, based in Liberty, said nothing is out of hand, and moving Phris out of the way was protocol.

"If there is a civilian on a public road directing traffic and a state trooper drives by, he will tell him to get off the road. You can direct traffic on private property, but it is illegal to direct traffic on a public road. It is considered 'disorderly conduct.'

"We haven't received any complains, and if there's a traffic jam, we'll send a trooper to direct traffic."